Tuesday, June 15, 2010

View from the Press Box

Jeff Reinhart has posted some basketball information: http://blogs.lancasteronline.com/jeffreyreinhart/2010/06/15/l-l-league-boys-hoops-coaching-update/

Problems in Marietta

A  problem with the construction of the square in Marietta has led to a lawsuit. Here is the link: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/259893

More junk

Not sure if this one belongs under the the daily post of Is This What We Want for Columbia or not. But it is beside the Bricktown skate complex, which has given residents of the area, another vacant warehouse has been turned into a flea market, according to the sign in the 200 block of Chestnut Street. Again, the property is owned by.....

The late edition of Is This What We Want


Discovered this one thanks to an alert reader at Front and Bridge streets at one time where the Susquehanna Towers were to be constructed on the site of a former foundry in Columbia. Now, these wood pallets are stacked throughout the property, some higher than the fence. Can you say fire trap? Oh by the way, there's a theme here -- the property owner was at one time considered Columbia's savior.

The lights that never worked

About two years ago or so, Columbia Borough received a Safe Routes to School grant, that would allow for a major road project on Ninth Street from Route 462 to the Ironville Pike.


As part of the improvement, bump outs were installed at two intersections to slow traffic and special lighting was placed in the streets at Ninth and Locust, Ninth and Walnut and Ninth and the Ironville Pike designed to light the crosswalks at night.

One problem, the lights never worked. Now, those in-ground lights are being replaced with one that will hang on traffic poles in the area.

The change was revealed at Monday's borough council meeting.

Mary Barninger was the first to speak to the issue.

"It is not the way it was designed and its disconcerting that a vendor can weasel his way out of a project like this," Barninger said.

Mayor Leo Lutz it was learned that other municipalities were having trouble with the lighting system as well.

"The new lights will be more efficient," Lutz said.

Street improvement planned for Plane Street

Plane Street from Manor Street to Route 441 could be getting a new look.

At a public hearing during Monday’s borough council meeting, Columbia will apply for a 2011 Lancaster County Community Block Grant for new curbs and sidewalks and repaving the area.
Borough Manager Norm Meiskey said the borough would seek a grant in the amount of $250,000 for the project and the total cost would br $350,000.
The other $100,000 would be the borough’s match for the grant and would come from the borough’s liquid fuels fund.
The county will award the grants in the fall.

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Resident Heather McDonald asked the council the status of previous requests concerning parking issues in the 100 block of Locust Street.

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Mayor Leo Lutz during his report commented on the recent passing of Columbia Fire Police Chief John Murphy.
“He was always there and you could rely that with him on the scene, everything was under control,” Lutz said. “We are going to miss Chief Murphy.”

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Mayor Lutz also reminded residents that the Cruisin’ Columbia Car Show will be held this week and two of the benefactors are the Columbia K-9 program and the Columbia Food Bank.

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Mayor Lutz also reported the proposed Route 441 relocation project is still on the Lancaster County Planning Commission’s transportation list for the next two years.

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Announced market rentals are changing from a six-month lease to a 12-month lease and stand holders would now have pay a fair rate for use of electric.

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Approved the consent agenda, including items for a request to close a part of Avenue I, July 23 for a pig roast at the Garth Gallery on Second Street; use of Makle Park by the St. Paul’s M.B.Chirch, June 26 and the Ashley COGIC for use of the River Park for its annual baptism in Augiust, but the church may only use the canoe/kayak area and not the grass.

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Announced plans for a special meeting on July 21 at 6 p.m. to discuss its Act 537 plan for its wastewater treatment facility.

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Endorsed the submission of a 2010 Lancaster County Urban Enhancement grant application by the Columbia Economic Development Corporation for the Turkey Hill Experience.

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Approved the preparation of a small borrowing resolution in the amount of $125,000 for capital improvement purchases and projects.

Looks like Experience is ready to roll


Last week, Columbia Borough settled and fianlly sold the property they owned for decades at Third and Linden streets. It will become the Turkey Hill Experience. Since the settlement, a trailer has been placed on the site and it looks like there will be some construction started in the near future.

A little heated debate at meeting

Last month Columbia Borough Council President Mary Wickenheiser was called "Mary Pelosi" by former council member Frank Doutrich during his monthly question and answer session at the meeting.


There were some chuckles last month. So Monday night, Doutrich when discussing the possibility of the Municipal Authority giving the borough up to $100,000 for the relocation of the highway department building across Front Street, he used the reference again.

"Madam Pelosi," Doutrich said.

Before he was able to continue his question, Wickenheiser declared Doutrich "out of order."

"I am finding you disrespectful," Wickenheiser said.

Doutrich then countered that the council president was disrespectful to him a few months back when at a committee meeting, Doutrich said a council member called him "an f-ing butthole."

"If the shoes fits, where it," Doutrich said.

Monday night, other issues Doutrich addressed the council:

* That he needed to correct a statement he made at last month's highway concerning the use of flowable fill on a highway project. He found out the material was used.

* Questioned the River Park project signage and the need to trim trees hanging out over the river.

Doutrich said he's bringing up all these issues "to make sure council is accountable to the people."

He also addressed a proposal where Safe Harbor Power will give land to the borough where cabins now stand along the river. Doutrich complained there were no agendas at a recent meeting of the borough's property committee and the issue was not even planned to be discussed.

"We are just trying to make you accountable. These people came here to get honest answers. I know what goes on behind the scenes. Don’t tell me you (council) didn’t know about it. Be honest with the people, come out and tell them what you have in mind,” Doutrich said.

He also questioned council’s format dealing with citizen comments again.

“I wish you people (council) would come out here (in the audience) and see how it feels,” he said.

Other issues he was concerned with were the use of a van used by the police department and the recent sale of the former Silk Mill property at Third and Linden streets.

All of his issues were answered by various nembers of the council and staff.

New market manager is hired

The historic Columbia Market is getting a new manager.
Almost seven months after Renae Sears was removed from her duties as the market manager, borough council has hired a replacement.
Monday night, borough council approved the hiring of Brian L. Long as the new market manager, at a salary of $18.50 an hour for 26 hours a week.
Long and another undisclosed individual were interviewed Friday.
Long is a former advertising manager with the Lancaster Newspapers and other publications.
Also Monday, council approved a new title for Finance Manager Georgianna Schreck. Her new title is Manager of Finance and Human Resources.
Borough Manager Norm Meiskey explained the promotion was the result of Schreck's added duties and all administration employees and the new market manager will report to her.
Also, Robert Osborne was hired as a part-time Code Enforcement Officer, replacing an employee, who was hired last month.
And under its finance committee report, a 2010 budget change request was approved to accounnt for management raises, without comment.

New traffic officer is hired, but....

It was something on Monday's borough council agenda that is usually rubber stamped. A recommendation from council's personnel committee. So, no eyebrows were raised when council approved the hiring of Charles Poff as a part-time parking enforcement officer, not to exceed 19 hours a week.
Monday night, Mayor Leo Lutx said Poff would be splitting time with the current meter reader.
But, here is what the borough doesn't apparently want people to know.
Remember Fish Gate earlier this year when a change in meter reading hours caused those attending a church service on a Saturday night to get ticketed and the uproar behind it, well let's just say Ticket Gate could be brewing.
On some meters, not all, times of enforcement are listed: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Something that has never really happened is the proper enforcement of the ordinance.
Well folks, Poff apparently is being assigned the afternoon shift and will be reading meters until 6 p.m.m as listed and 9 p.m. on Fridays.
So be forewarned, things are going to be properly enforced in Columbia, so those who do come downtown can get nickled and dimed for a $5 ticket if they fail to plug the meter.
Also Monday night, council hired Pearl Hall, Kenneth Yarell, Jean Urban, Linda Donnley and Fran Resch as crossing giards for the 2010-2011 school year.

Veterans walk through area


About 25 veterans, part of the Pennsylvania Hero Walk, a 342-mile walk across the state passed through Mountville, Columbia and Wrightsville today seeking support for the Wounded Warrior Project. Here is the link: http://paherowalk.org/

Tour comes to Columbia


The Pennsylvania Downtown Center, who was holding a convention at the Lancaster Convention Center this week, toured Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville today as part of a mobile workshop. The group, coming out of the Market House spent about an hour touring Columbia, led by Mayor Leo Lutz.

Traffic alert

Traffic was slowed today and down to one lane at the Shawnee Creek along Route 462 as PennDOT did some cleaning and filling.

First Tuesday post of Is This What We Want?

Since I didn't do it yesterday and needless to say there are many, many violations, here is one of Is This What WeWant in Town? This is a tree growing out of the roof of a property in the 400 block of Locust Street.

Chamber to host contest

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce (SVCC) in Columbia is seeking bakers to enter a cupcake contest to be held in Columbia's Locust Street Park on Saturday, June 19.


Setup will begin at 9:30 a.m., and judging will start at 10 a.m. Judges from The Flour Child, The Daily Grind and Columbia Borough will sample cupcakes and rate them based on appearance and flavor. Awards will be given in two categories, bakers 16 and under and bakers over 16. The winner in each category will receive a prize package valued at $75.

Following the judging and awards ceremony, cupcakes will be sold to the public. Bakers are asked to provide a minimum of four dozen cupcakes and must agree to sell them for a set price. All money collected from the cupcake sale will be shared by the Columbia, Wrightsville and Maytown food banks.

Interested bakers are asked to fill out an application form and submit it along with an entry fee to SVCC.. For more information or an application, interested persons may call the SVCC at 684-5249

Crusin Columbia Car Show is Saturday

The streets of downtown Columbia will be filled on Saturday. Here is a link: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=35360

New members of the Masons

At a recent meeting of the local Masonic Lodge # 286 Matthew Ryan Bachert and Jeremy Michael Tshudy attained membership in the Lodge and received the 3rd. degree in Freemasonry.

Bachert, resides in Elizabethtown and is employed in sales. Tshudy, resides in Lancaster and is employed as a financial advisor

Past Masters, Robbie Sourbeer and Thomas Shimp administered the oath to these new members of Columbia Masonic Lodge # 286.

Columbia Masonic Lodge to recognize Columbia High School Graduate

Graduate Jimmy Lee with be receiving from the Columbia Lodge a scholarship in the amount of $1000 which will be presented to him June 24 at Fairview Park. This scholarship is made possible by the Craftsmen’s Club, an affiliate of the Columbia Masonic Lodge

The recipient of this scholarship must carry at least a 3.2 GPA, have no school violations and show a high level of respect for other students and teachers.

Weekly Columbia Police reports

CORRY M. PHILLIPS, 32, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT THIRD. AND LOCUST STREET, AT 8:45

A.M., JUNE 2.

WILLIAM JACKSON, III, 38, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, AT 8:13 A.M., JUNE 4.

CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, 45, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 800 BLOCK OF WALNUT STREET, AT 1:20 A.M., MAY 29.

BOOKER T. JOHNSON, III, 42, OF ARKANSAS, WAS CITED FOR UNLAWFUL ACTIVIES, DUE TO HAVING TIRES AND WHEELS, THAT WERE NOT IN SAFE CONDITION, AT ROUTE 441 AND ROUTE 30, AT 3:10 P.M., JUNE 6.

EILEEN P. SOSA, 53, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AT THIRD AND LOCUST STREETS, AT 10:15 P.M., JUNE 4.

JEFFREY A. LANTZ, 35, OF DOVER, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS AND FOR CARELESS DRIVING, IN THE 300 AND 400 BLOCKS OF UNION STREET, AT 2:20 A.M., JUNE 6.

AMY R. GUDKNECHT, 33, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT ROUTE 30 AND LINDEN STREET, AT 8:25 A.M., JUNE 7.
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PAUL ANTHONY LONESKY, 39, OF ELIZABETHTOWN, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 30 AND ROUTE 441, AT 5:11 A.M., JUNE 7.

JASON A. CARR, 34, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, ON NORTH THIRD. STREET AND LINDEN STREET, AT 8:09 A.M., JUNE 8.

JOSE A. QUILES, 35, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF UNION STREET,  AT 10:06 A.M., JUNE 10.

LOGAN M. STARK, 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, AT 2:02 A.M., JUNE 12.

AERIEL DENISE ETTER, 18, OF HELLAM, WAS CITED FOR REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; UNAUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION; AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT FOURTH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS,  AT 1:58 A.M., JUNE 11.

 LEO F. MCMASTER, 74, OF GETTYSBURG, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM AXLE WEIGHT OF VEHICLES, AT ROUTE 441 AND LINDEN STREET, AT 1:38 A.M., JUNE 14.

JEFFREY L. PAULES, JR., 23, OF HIGHSPIRE, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AND FOR CARELESS DRIVING, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH THIRD. STREET, AT 1:36 A.M., JUNE 14.

Two things to watch for today

For those in and around our town today, here are a couple of things to watch for.today.
The Pennsylvania Hero Walk will be in the Mountville area around 11 a.m. and Columbia abourt an hour later on Route 462. For more information: http://www.paherowalk,org/

The second thing to watch will be a bus tour through Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville, as part of a mobile workshop, part of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which is meeting in Lancaster.

Police to get two new vehicles

After a lengthy debate, Columbia Borough Council approved the purchase of two new vehicles for the police department.


In a debate that first surfaced back in March, council approved its original motion two purchase two 2010 Expeditions for the department. The purchases were originally on the agenda back in March, but were sent back through the committee process when late information was received on the need and use of the two SUVs in the borough,

The discussion on the purchase of the two vehicles was started by Councilmen Mike Beury, who explained his feelings about the four-month old debate. In March, the council was trying to tie the purchase of the new police vehicles in with the purchase of a ruck for the highway department.

That vehicle was purchased, which had the vehicles been purchased in March, would have resulted in a $6,000 savings for the borough.

“Then the mayor comes in and threatens council, saying if they got two Expeditions, they would not use them,” Beury said, adding he didn’t purchase then and won’t now.

Kelly Murphy, chairman of council’s finance committee said he went to see the three vehicles the borough was considering for purchase – an Expedition, a Charger and a Crown Victoria.

“The department is in need of two vehicles, but, the Charger is not a pursuit vehicle,” Murphy said.

Another council member, Mary Barninger, also investigated the three vehicles, by talking with two departments in other areas. Barninger said the borough was told the Crown Vics were very high maintenance.

“We were told they are not suited because of the high maintenance. Bit it was just with the brakes and you’ll get that with any vehicle. There was no true epidemic other than the brakes,” she said.

She said that departments who purchased the chargers are regretting the purchases because they were too small and had a limited use. “Going with the charger is not a wise decision,” she said.

Mayor Leo Lutz explained how the borough goes about purchasing police cars on a two-year cycle.

“The number one job of a municipality is to provide safety and having the ability to get around. We need vehicles that are going to hold up,” Lutz said.

“The four-wheel vehicles are difficult to get around,” the mayor said.

It was Norm Meiskey, borough manager, who made the big push for the SUVs.

“I’ve been involved with the purchase of police vehicles since 1985 and you need to have the ability to get around 24/7. The SUVs are more safer than rear wheel or front wheel drive vehicles,” Meiskey said,

“With the smaller cars and the condition of the streets and gutters, they will be bouncing off the undercarriages. I’m just throwing my two cents,” Meiskey said.

Added Murphy, “we need to have the capabilities of four-wheel drive (currently the department has two Tahoes). I don’t see why we can’t stay with that.”

The vote to purchase an Expedition and a Charger failed by a 7-0 vote.

A second motion to purchase an Expedition and Crown Vic failed because of the lack of a second.

The third motion to purchase two Expeditions passed by a 6-1 motion with Barninger voted against the purchase.

Following the discussion, former council member Frank Doutrich responded to the vote by saying, “who cares what they (police) drive. If they don’t like it, tell them there’s West Hempfield.”